• VIVA’s network expansion to enable enhanced mobile internet user experience 4×4 MIMO provides up to double the peak downlink data rate without the need for additional spectrum
• Ericsson selected as sole supplier for VIVA’s 4G/LTE network modernization in the Dominican Republic, including core, transmission, and related services

VIVA Dominicana is set be the first operator in the Dominican Republic to deploy 4X4 multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), provided by Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), on the operator’s LTE network. LTE 4×4 MIMO increases operator spectral efficiency by delivering up to twice the downlink data rate without the need for additional spectrum. VIVA has selected Ericsson as the sole supplier for a full 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE network modernization under a five-year contract, including core, transmission and related services.

Ericsson is providing top-of-the-line technology, with deployment for the first time in the Dominican Republic of its best-in-class radio enabling 4X4 MIMO and Router 6000. The Ericsson Router 6000 series is a radio integrated, Service Provider SDN enabled IP transport portfolio managed by a single end to end management system. It delivers high performance connectivity for LTE, LTE-Advanced, 5G, for all applications, while the use of 4X4 MIMO can double peak rates with no additional spectrum.

Mobile traffic volumes are expected to increase exponentially through 2020 and beyond. Ericsson’s 2016 TV and Media Report showed, for example, that Dominicans watch an average of 18.4 hours of video per week on their smartphones; in addition, young millennials (up to age 24) spend two-thirds of all video viewing hours on mobile devices. Globally, video is expected to account for 75% of all mobile traffic by 2022.

VIVA’s network modernization and expansion to 4G enables mobile internet speeds up to 10 times greater than 3G, allowing users to download, send, receive and view photos and videos in high definition, and providing a significantly enhanced mobile internet user experience. As part of the network modernization, Ericsson is delivering the complete core including Evolved Packet Core, Subscriber Data Management, Policy Control, and Mobile Switching. In addition to 4G, Ericsson will replace existing 2G equipment and implement 3G.

Luis Bodega, CEO, VIVA Dominicana, says: “VIVA is proud to be the only local operator in the Dominican Republic, bringing the latest innovative technology to our network. Partnering with Ericsson for this expansion allows us to enable a top-performing network and provide our customers with the best possible mobile experience in the market.”

Clayton Cruz, Vice-president of Ericsson Latin America and Caribbean, says: “4G with 4X4 brings Dominicans access to the most advanced mobile internet technology available today, significantly improving the user experience in terms of download speed of internet content, and in general, quality navigation at all levels.”

Ericsson is present today in all high traffic LTE markets including US, Japan, and South Korea, and is ranked first for handling the most global LTE traffic. In addition, forty percent of the world’s total mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. More than 270 LTE RAN and Evolved Packet Core networks have been delivered byEricsson worldwide, of which more than 200 are live commercially.